Melvin Conviction May Reignite Talk of Reform

Bumsted, Brad, Tribune-Review/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

HARRISBURG -- As lawmakers and court officials assess how
suspended Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin will leave the
bench, others are pondering whether her corruption conviction will
stop the pervasive use of tax dollars in Pennsylvania political
campaigns.

Melvin, 56, of Marshall, convicted on Thursday on six criminal
charges in Allegheny County, joins more than 30 state officials
charged with public corruption during the past five years. Most of
them, including eight ex-legislative leaders, were convicted.

Jurors found that Melvin and her sister and former staffer,
Janine Orie, 58, of McCandless, conspired with a third sister,
former state Sen. Jane Orie, to use state-paid employees for
political work during Melvin's campaigns for Supreme Court in 2003
and 2009. Jane Orie, 51, convicted separately, is serving 21/2 to 10
years in the State Correctional Institution in Cambridge Springs,
Pa.

"So-called scandals like this can act as springboards to reform
aspects of the system," said Lynn Marks, executive director of
Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, a court watchdog group that
advocates appointing rather than electing judges, among other
justice system changes.

Some elected officials cut corners and use state money for
campaigns because they believe their policies and programs are so
important that it's worth it, said Bruce Antkowiak, a law professor
at St. Vincent College and a former federal prosecutor. He said
those officials think that " 'for me to continue serving my
constituents and continue working on legislation I've worked on, I
need to be in office.' "

In Pennsylvania, Antkowiak said, that has led to a "blurring of
the lines" between state and campaign business.

The next steps

Gov. Tom Corbett will nominate someone to replace Melvin if she
resigns, is impeached or is removed by a judge at sentencing or by
the Court of Judicial Discipline, which has an active complaint. The
House will begin impeachment if she doesn't resign, according to a
spokesman for Speaker Sam Smith, R-Punxsutawney.

Melvin's seat would be up for election in November 2015, so her
appointed replacement would serve until January 2016.

"(Corbett) will deal with that issue when a vacancy occurs,"
spokesman Kevin Harley said of the appointment.

The change might take time. The Senate must confirm whomever
Corbett nominates by a two-thirds vote. The Republican governor
needs Democratic support to meet that threshhold -- something that
gives Senate Democrats leverage when negotiating the state budget
before June 30.

The Supreme Court continues with six members, three Republicans
and three Democrats. As a Republican, Melvin gave the GOP an edge as
a potential deciding vote before her suspension in May. Republicans
control the Senate, 27-23, but it will take 34 votes to confirm a
nominee.

Allegheny County Judge Lester G. …

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